Car hire in Kotor — your Peak car comes to you
Kotor looks its best from a distance — from the hairpin road up to Lovćen, from Perast or from across the bay. With a Peak car you explore the Bay of Kotor at your own pace: a morning in the old town, an afternoon on the Prčanj waterfront, sunset high above the bay.
What a Peak car gives you in Kotor
- 01Hand-over by the old town gate or at Tivat Airport
- 02The full Bay of Kotor loop in a single day
- 03The hairpin road to Lovćen and Njeguši
- 04Unlimited mileage, no hidden extras
Peak cars for Kotor
Prices for a five-day rental starting next week
Worth the detour around Kotor
Kotor by car: when and how
Kotor's old town is pedestrian, so the car isn't for the walls — it's for everything around them: Perast, Prčanj, Lovćen, Njeguši and the loop round the Bay. The biggest mistake is arriving between 10:00 and 15:00 on a day with two or three cruise ships in port — the car parks and the bay road are both packed.
The Port of Kotor publishes its cruise schedule in advance. On a busy day, do Perast and Risan in the morning and walk into the old town after 17:00, once passengers are back on board.
Parking in Kotor
The large paid car park sits next to the old town walls by the market and harbour — closest to the main gate, and first to fill. If it's full, carry on a few hundred metres towards Škaljari or Dobrota: smaller car parks and street spaces in paid zones, ten minutes' walk from the gate.
Don't leave the car on the bay road — the lay-bys are for buses, and tow trucks work Sundays in summer too.
The Kotor serpentines and Lovćen
The old Kotor — Njeguši road has 25 hairpins and one of the best views on the Adriatic. In places it's barely wide enough for two cars: use a low gear, don't brake at the end of a bend and let buses through at the wider spots. From Njeguši it's 20 minutes to Njegoš's Mausoleum on Lovćen, and you can return to Kotor a different way via Cetinje.
A smaller car beats a big SUV on the serpentines; if a clutch isn't second nature to you, take an automatic.
Where to drive from Kotor
| Destination | Distance | Drive | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perast & Our Lady of the Rocks | 12 km | 20 min | Boats to the island leave from the waterfront; park at the entrance to Perast. |
| Prčanj & Muo | 6 km | 10 min | The calmest side of the bay for a swim. |
| Tivat Airport | 8 km | 15 min | Through the Vrmac tunnel. |
| Njeguši (serpentines) | 20 km | 40 min | Smoked ham and cheese in the village; set off before 10:00. |
| Lovćen — Njegoš Mausoleum | 35 km | 1 h | 461 steps from the car park to the top. |
| Budva | 23 km | 30 min | Via Tivat or Trojica. |
| Bay loop with the ferry | ~70 km | half a day | Kotor — Risan — Herceg Novi — Kamenari ferry — Tivat. |
| Cetinje | 45 km | 1 h | Over Lovćen, back via Budva. |
Distances and times are approximate; add time on the bay road in summer.
Six things worth knowing before the first bend
The short briefing we give every guest when we hand over the keys — so you can drive around Montenegro relaxed, with no surprises on the road.
Coast road & tunnels
The coast is linked by the Adriatic highway — scenic, but narrow and full of bends, so allow more time than your map suggests. The only toll is the Sozina tunnel between Podgorica and Bar (about €2.50); the Smokovac–Mateševo motorway section is free.
Speed & lights
50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside them, up to 100 km/h on the motorway. Dipped headlights stay on all day, everyone in the car wears a seatbelt, and the alcohol limit is 0.03% — so the rule is simple: if you drive, you don't drink. Speed cameras are common at town entrances.
Parking on the coast
Budva, Kotor, Tivat and Bar use paid parking zones (roughly €0.50–1 an hour), paid by SMS or at a meter. Old towns are closed to cars — leave the car at the car park by the gate and walk in. In July and August, arrive early in the morning.
Heading north
Durmitor, Žabljak and the Tara canyon are unmissable, but the roads are mountain roads and filling stations are few. Fill the tank in Podgorica or Nikšić, and outside summer check the forecast — the weather changes quickly at altitude.
Fuel
A litre of petrol or diesel costs about €1.50–1.65 (2026). Along the coast road and in larger towns, stations stay open at night. You collect and return the car with the same fuel level, so top up before drop-off.
Borders & help
Driving into Croatia, Albania or Bosnia is only possible with our written consent and a Green Card — tell us when you book. Emergency numbers: 112 general, 122 police, 124 ambulance, 19807 roadside assistance. For anything about the car, call us directly.
Questions before you book
Where can I park in Kotor?
The nearest is the paid car park by the walls next to the market and harbour. When it's full, head to Škaljari or Dobrota — smaller car parks and paid zones, ten minutes' walk to the gate.
Can I drive into Kotor old town?
No, the old town is pedestrian. You leave the car in front of the walls, or Peak meets you with the car at the old town entrance.
How does booking a car in Kotor work?
Choose your dates and car on the site, pick a protection plan and send the request. We get back to you by phone, WhatsApp or email to confirm. There's no prepayment — you pay the full amount only when you collect the car.
Where do I collect the car in Kotor?
We bring the car wherever suits you: the airport, your hotel, your apartment or an agreed address in Kotor. Our base is in Mojanovići near Podgorica, and you're welcome to collect it there too.
What does the protection cover, and how big is the deposit?
Mandatory insurance is included in every price. Without an extra plan you're liable for any damage to the car, with a refundable deposit. Comfort covers damage to the car with a lower deposit; Summit has no deposit and also covers tyres, rims and glass. Theft is not covered by any plan.
Can I return the car in another town or leave Montenegro?
Yes — a return in another town or at another airport is agreed in advance. Driving into neighbouring countries is possible with our written consent and a Green Card; just mention it when you book.